Dilemmas

Goal:

Enter Israeli characters to greater depth.
Stimulate a discussion in role to explore an Israeli age-peer group.
Explore attitudes to controversial issues.
Compare and contrast young people in both societies.

Outline:

Each self-contained unit of Israelis plays out discussions on at least 3 of the 5 set dilemmas.

Preparation:

Identity Cards
Dilemma sheets

Dilemmas

Procedure

·         Divide participants into groups of seven and hand out one set of role cards to each group. Participants choose their roles - not one they have previously played. The educator should check that this goes smoothly.

·         Allow a minute or two for participants to refresh their memories about the make-up of their character. Each character presents him/herself to the others in their group.

·         Distribute several copies of dilemma sheets [below] to each group. Ensure that the groups understand the dilemmas and explain that they are going to be allowed 3-4 minutes to discuss each one. In this time, the groups are to have everyone react to the issue under discussion and then debate freely as young Israelis.

Note:
If there are five groups, each group can prepare to stage a debate on one issue for the presentations. If there are only two or three groups, you can ask each group to pick one topic to present later on. Allow a few extra minutes to prepare presentations.
The educator should be alert for misunderstandings and misinterpreta- tions of role at this stage.

·         Presentations.
Note: Participants may have difficulty getting into role and starting up. If this happens, gently stop the presentation and ask them to remind everyone else who they are playing, add a few gentle directions and let them resume.

·         Review
Use the other groups each time to see whether these were the only reactions to the issue before going on to examine whether young Jewish teenagers in the Diaspora are different or similar in outlook to Israelis and why.